Door handle locking device



Oct. 5, 1943. w. s. WHITING, JR 2,331,150

DOOR HANDLE LOCKING DEVICE Filed Dec. 12, 1941 qwmg Patented Oct. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOOR HANDLE LOCKING DEVICE William S.- Whiting, Jr., Canton, N. C.

Application December 12, 1941, Serial No. 422,743

4 Claims.

This invention relates to door handle locking devices, and more particularly, devices for immobilizing the handles of motor car door latches, and has for its general object the provision of a novel device for immobilizing the inner door handles of passenger motor vehicles in order to prevent the inadvertent actuation of the same, as for example by small children. As is well known, numerous accidents have occurred in which small children have been injured by falling out of moving automobiles, due to accidental opening of the door through actuation of the door handle locking device by providing a simple, inexpensive device which may be readily installed by the operator of the vehicle whenever required and which requires no physical connection, other than frictional, between the device and the handle or door surface, so that-it may be installed and removed without the use of any tools and without multilating or injuring the door in any way.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a door handle locking device providing a socket for engaging the underside of the door handle, 1. e., the side next the adjacent surface of the door, and means engaging the adjacent door surface at points spaced laterally of the door handle, whereby attempted movement of the door handle in either direction will result in a wedging or jamming action which will prevent the handle from being rotated. The device according to the present invention may comprise either a single member of spring metal, taking the form of an arcuate spring having a reversely curved portion intermediate its ends providing a socket for the door handle, the respective ends of the spring member being adapted to frlctionally engage the adjacent door surface, or it may take the form of two curved or straight members pivoted together in endwise relation and recessed adjacent the pivot point to provide a socket for the door handle, together with tension means for urging the free ends of the respective members toward one another and thereby jamming them against the adjacent door surface. The aforesaid tension means may comprise either a spring or threaded means such as a bolt and wing nut. In either case, the tension exerted need only be suflicient to retain the free ends of the device in firm frictional engagement with the door surface so that, if an attempt is made to rotate the door handle one or the other of said pivoted members will be jammed between the handle and the door surface. If desired, the frictional engagement between the locking device and the door come the disadvantages of the aforesaid type of surface may be enhanced by providing the respective ends of the locking device with roughened surfaces, or with rubber or other coatings.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a door handle locking device according to the present invention, installed beneath the inner door handle of a passenger automobile; I

Figure 2 is a view at right angles to Figure 1 showing the locking device partly in side elevation and partly in section;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating a modified formof device;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the device of Figure 4; and

Figures 6 and '7 are side elevations illustrating further modifications of the locking device.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made to the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawing and detailed descriptive language is employed. It

will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the invention is thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated such as would ordinarily occur to one v skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the device there illustrated comprises a pair of curved arms or members Hi'and ll, pivoted together in endwise relation as at l2, the member ll being-provided with a tongue II and the member Ill being provided with a slot Hi to receive the-tongue ll. Both members are recessed adjacent the pivot point l2 to provide a socket I 3 for the re-' ception of the curved underside of a door handle I4. A bolt I5 and wing nut I6 are provided for drawing the free ends of the members I0 and II toward one another thus jamming the device between the handle I4 and the adjacent door surface l'l. It will be understood that in applying the device the nut I8 is removed or retracted to such an extent that the device may be flattened sufficiently to permit insertion beneath the door handle afer which the nut I 6 is rotated until the free ends of the members I0 and I I are drawn inwardly to an extent suf'ficient to effect the aforesaid jamming action.

The members In and Il may be made of wood, metal, or a suitable plastic material and, if desired, the free ends thereof may be roughened or provided with a coating of frictional material such as rubber or the like. It is only necessary that the frictional engagement between the members I 0 and II and the door surface ll be sufficient so that, upon attempting to move the door handle I4, the member I0 or II, toward which the handle is moved, will tend to rock about its The device may be readily installed and removed, and may be carried in the user's pocket, or in the compartment usually provided in the instrument panel of the vehicle for carrying small articles.

When applied to the door, the locking device does not prevent actuation of the door latch from the exterior of the vehicle, which feature possesses obvious advantages.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the class described, adapted to be readily interposed between the substantially point of engagement with the door surface, which will immediately result in putting said member under compression between the door surface and the door handle, and preventing movement of the latter.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a modification in which a coil spring I8 is employed in lieu of the bolt I5 and nut IS, the spring I8 being connected between the free ends of the members I0 and II by means of transverse pins I9 and 20. This form of the device is preferred to that of Figures 2 and 3 inasmuch as it may be installed simply by stretching the spring I8 sufficiently to permit the device to be slipped under the door handle, and then permitting the spring to draw the free ends of the members Ill and II inwardly until they firmly engage the adjacent door surface.

The modification illustrated in Figure 6 differs from that of Figures 4 and 5 in employing a leaf spring 2| in lieu of the coil spring I8.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 7 the entire device consists of a single piece of spring metal comprising an arcuate spring 22 having a reversely curved portion 23 intermediate its ends, providing a socket for the door handle, the respective ends of the spring 22 being adapted to engage the adjacent door surface.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an extremely simple and inexpensive device for effectively immobilizing the inner door handle of a motor vehicle door against inadvertent actuation, or actuation by a small child.

fiat surface of a door and an operating handle movable in a plane substantially parallel to such surface, to prevent movement of such handle relatively to the door, and to thereafter be readily removed, said device comprising a generally arch-shaped member having surfaces at its ends to engage a door surface at spaced points, said member being formed of two similar parts hingedly connected together, and means for drawing said parts toward each other to increase the height of the arch formed thereby, said member having formed in that portion thereof which is most distant from a straight line passing through said end surfaces, a shallow notch for the reception and retention of a door handle to be immobilized.

2. A device of the class described, adapted to be readily interposed between the substantially flat surface of a door and an operating handle movable in a plane substantially parallel to such surface, to prevent movement of such handle relatively to the door, and to thereafter be readily removed, said device comprising a generally archshaped member having surfaces at its ends to engage a door surface at spaced points, said member being formed of two similar parts adjacent ends of which are hingedly connected together, and means for positively drawing said parts toward each other to increase the height of the arch formed thereby, said member having formed in the apex of the arch a shallow notch for the reception and retention of a door handle to be immobilized.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 in which the said shallow notch is located closely adjacent the connection between said parts and is formed partially in one part of said member and partially in the other part thereof.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2' in which said means is resilient and acts continuously when the device is in use.

WILLIAM S. WHITING, JR 

